If you’re like me, you want to get the most out of camping by making sure you’re adhering to the best practices for RV care and maintenance. And whether it’s from fancy marketing or community advice, there’s no doubt you’ve heard that RV toilet paper is a must have.
In fact, you might have heard any one of the following myths about RV toilet paper along the way:
- Myth #1: Regular household toilet paper ruins black tanks.
- Myth #2: RV-specific toilet paper dissolves faster than all other brands.
- Myth #3: Not using RV toilet paper is the main cause of clogs and pyramid plugs.
Well, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to buy into the marketing myths or old wives’ tales about RV-specific toilet paper, and can safely choose your preferred brand of comfortable and absorbent toilet paper while out on the road.
Let me show you why!
Is RV Toilet Paper Really Necessary?
RV toilet paper was originally invented to rapidly dissolve in water, helping to prevent thick paper clogs and dreaded poop pyramids.
At the time, old school black tank treatments weren’t able to digest toilet paper effectively, and RV-specific toilet paper seemed like the best, if not only, solution.
From the start, most RV toilet paper options were thin, 1-ply varieties that were so uncomfortable to use that many RVers gave up on using their RV toilets altogether.
Your RV Bathroom Called…It’s Feeling Neglected
Believe it or not, you can still find campers who store their toilet paper in bins next to the toilet, or who only use campsite truck stop bathrooms to do their business, causing them to miss out on one of the best parts of RV travel (the simple comforts of home).
Trust me, I get it. No one, and I mean no one, wants to deal with a clogged RV toilet or black tank, and not using your RV toilet as intended might seem like the only way to camp worry-free.
But, we need to have an honest conversation.
Times have changed, and we have the technology to shred through toilet paper quickly and easily now, which means you can take full advantage of your RV toilet and bathroom (I’ll show you how!).
So next trip, ditch the trash can, and just remember that the bathroom you’re towing is better than the one at the gas station.
The Simple Truth: No. You Don’t Have to Use RV Toilet Paper
Let’s look at what science can reveal about RV toilet paper.
This Toilet Paper Disintegration Study compares average and premium quality toilet paper based on mass, moisture content, density, microscopic layers per sheet, thickness, and volume.
Through testing, researchers found that while average-quality toilet paper disintegrated faster than premium toilet paper, despite their physical differences, both toilet papers completely disintegrated within 48 hours.
What does this mean for you?
1. The type of toilet paper you use is basically irrelevant.
Whether you choose RV toilet paper or premium toilet paper, both types will break down at roughly the same rate, meaning that using your preferred brand of toilet paper isn’t a bad idea after all.
But you might still be wondering, “What about the toilet paper I use in the 48 hours prior to dumping? Could it cause clogs if it’s not fully broken down?”
Which brings me to my next point, which is that while toilet paper is good at breaking down on its own in 48 hours, you need to break it down faster to stay clog-free.
2. You need to use an RV holding tank treatment that is capable of digesting toilet paper fully and rapidly, like high-quality, bacteria- and enzyme-based RV Digest-It Ultra.
When you use a black tank treatment that is an effective paper digester, you can shorten the time that it takes toilet paper to break down from 48 hours, and make it happen in only a few hours.
Paper-digesting black tank treatments solve the problem completely, meaning you can use your favorite toilet paper without the fear of clogs when dumping.
Important Note: If you don’t use a tank treatment that’s a good toilet paper digester, you will experience clogs from the paper that doesn’t dissolve in the hours leading up to the dump. We highly recommend you use a good paper-digesting treatment.
So You’ve Ditched the RV Toilet Paper…Now What?
While the type of toilet paper you use might not be important anymore, caring for your black tank is. You can safely use the toilet paper of your choice, but to prevent clogs, foul odors, and misreading sensors you need good maintenance habits.
Follow these steps as outlined by The Unique Method, and avoid 99% of wastewater issues before they occur:
1. Always keep your black tank valve closed, unless you’re dumping a full tank.
2. Treat your black tank with a high-quality, toilet-paper dissolving treatment like RV Digest-It Ultra.
3. Use plenty of water in your RV by keeping water in the toilet bowl, filling the toilet bowl with water before each use, and holding down the flush pedal for at least 10 seconds every time you flush.
4. Dump your holding tanks every 3-5 days for optimum odor and clog prevention.
5. Rinse your black tank every time you dump, by filling your tank to full capacity, and then dumping the contents (do this twice).
Turn Your Toilet Paper Habit Into RV Savings
When companies create products advertised for a specific industry they automatically increase the price, justifying the higher cost with claims that the product is purpose-built for your needs.
Unfortunately, a lot of times the only difference is the product’s marketing and labels, not necessarily the product’s design or performance.
RV toilet paper is no different, and in some cases, it can cost you more than double compared to similar septic-safe options:
Toilet Paper Price Comparisons via Amazon
| Brand | RV or Septic-Safe | # of Rolls | Ply | Sheets | Cost | Cost/Roll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thetford | RV | 24 Rolls | 2-ply | 396 sheets | $54.95 | $2.29/roll |
| Camco | RV | 16 Rolls | 2-ply | 500 sheets | $30.99 | $1.94/roll |
| Angel Soft | Standard Septic-Safe | 24 Rolls | 2-ply | 480 sheets | $23.00 | $.96/roll |
| Charmin Ultra Strong | Premium Septic-Safe | 24 Rolls | 2-ply | 275 sheets | $35.49 | $1.48/roll |
When you opt for septic-safe toilet paper instead of RV-specific toilet paper, you can save over $1 per roll, which translates to savings of $19-$32 per 24-pack. That’s huge!
Pro Tip: While you’re free to use the toilet paper of your choice, our RV experts prefer the following toilet paper brands based on years of customer feedback and miles on the road:
- Angel Soft
- Costco Kirkland Signature
- Sam’s Club Member’s Mark
Have Questions About Your RV?
Contact the friendly and professional Customer Support Team at Unique Camping & Marine for answers today.
Hello campers,
I’m coming to you each month with expert tips and information that benefit all types of RVers.
Each piece is written, not by Artificial Intelligence, but by an Actual Individual...me!
I research each subject, consult industry professionals, and verify information with certified RV techs before this newsletter ever reaches your inbox.
Catch you down the road,
-Annie
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